5 Steps to Prepare Your CO-OP work permit Application

Canadian Immigration Rules for International Students Applying for Co-Op Work Authorization

For international students in London, ON, a co-op placement can be an important part of completing an academic program. Immigration rules surrounding student work placements have also changed, making it important to check the current requirements before preparing an application.

As of April 1, 2026, eligible international students enrolled in post-secondary programs in Canada generally do not need a separate work permit for required co-op placements or internships. Students can participate in placements when the work is an essential part of their program and the employer is accepted by their designated learning institution (DLI). Secondary school students still need a separate permit for qualifying co-op placements.

Because many students still search for information about the CO-OP work permit, it is useful to know when an application is actually required and what documents may be relevant. The rules can differ depending on your education level, study permit status, and program requirements.

For students who still need to apply, or who already hold an existing permit, the following five steps can help organize the process.

1. Confirm Whether You Actually Need a Permit

Before completing forms or gathering documents, check whether your placement requires a separate permit.

For eligible post-secondary international students, IRCC removed the separate permit requirement for student work placements beginning April 1, 2026. This applies to qualifying co-op placements and internships that form an essential part of an approved program. Students must still meet the requirements for participating in a student work placement.

This change means that a student in London who is enrolled in a qualifying post-secondary program may not need to submit a new application simply because a co-op placement is beginning.

However, secondary school students remain subject to different rules. A secondary student generally needs a study permit and a co-op work permit to participate in a qualifying placement. The placement must be certified as part of the academic program, and the work placement cannot make up more than 50% of the total program.

Your first step should therefore be to identify:

• Your level of study
• The name and status of your DLI
• Whether the placement is mandatory
• Whether the placement forms part of your curriculum
• Whether your study permit remains valid
• Whether you already hold a valid work permit
• Whether your school has approved the placement

Checking these points first can prevent you from submitting an application that you do not need.

If you are unsure whether your situation falls under the current rules, reviewing your school documents and the latest IRCC requirements can help clarify the next step.

2. Review Your Study Permit and School Documents

Your study permit is one of the main documents to review before arranging a student work placement.

Check the expiry date, conditions, and information connected with your studies. Your academic documents should also clearly show the program you are taking and whether a co-op, internship, or other work placement forms part of the curriculum.

Your DLI may provide a letter confirming that the placement is required. This can be useful when immigration authorities need evidence that the work is connected directly to your academic program.

For students who are required to apply for a CO-OP work permit, IRCC states that the employment must be certified as part of the academic program by an appropriate academic official. For eligible secondary students, the placement must also meet the applicable program requirements.

Before submitting anything, compare the information across your documents. Your name, date of birth, school information, program details, and dates should be consistent.

If your study permit is close to expiry, do not treat the co-op placement as a separate issue. Your overall status in Canada may need attention as well. A study permit extension is a different process from a work authorization application, so students should identify which document needs to be maintained or extended.

Students should also keep copies of letters, forms, and supporting documents submitted to IRCC. Organized records can make it easier to respond if additional information is requested.

3. Prepare the Required Information Carefully

If your circumstances require an application, prepare the information before starting the online process.

IRCC explains that online applicants answer questions first, and those answers generate a document checklist for the application. Applicants should follow that checklist rather than relying on a document list from an older application or another person's case.

Depending on your situation, documents may include:

• A valid passport
• Your current study permit
• Proof of enrollment
• A letter from your school confirming the co-op or internship requirement
• Program information
• Supporting identification documents
• Any additional documents requested through the IRCC application process

Do not assume that every student will have exactly the same checklist. Your education level, location, current status, and application type can affect the documents required.

When preparing a CO-OP work permit application, review every form before submission. Check spelling, dates, document numbers, and answers to questions about your studies. If a form asks about previous immigration history, provide complete and accurate information.

A common source of problems is inconsistency between forms and supporting documents. For example, a program start date on one document should not conflict with the date stated elsewhere without an explanation.

Students should also make sure that scanned documents are readable. If a page is cut off, blurry or missing, an officer may need additional information before processing the application.

4. Check Timing Before Your Placement Begins

Timing matters when preparing immigration documents for a work placement.

Do not wait until the last moment to review your status. Start by checking when your study permit expires, when your school expects the placement to begin, and whether your situation has changed since your original study permit application.

For post-secondary students who fall under the new 2026 rules, a separate co-op permit is generally no longer required for a qualifying placement. However, students must still meet the requirements for student work placements. The placement must be connected to the program and accepted by the student's DLI.

Students who already hold a valid co-op permit can continue using it until it expires. IRCC states that existing permit holders can keep using their permits for their validity periods.

This distinction is important because a student may discover older information online that says every post-secondary co-op student must obtain a separate permit. That information may no longer apply after the April 1, 2026 rule change.

For secondary students who still require a CO-OP work permit, applying early can provide time to address missing information or document requests before the placement is scheduled to begin.

Students should also communicate with their school's international student office or co-op department. The school can confirm whether the placement is mandatory and what documentation it provides.

5. Review Everything Before Submission

The final step is a complete review of the application and supporting documents.

Check each answer against your passport, study permit, and school records. Make sure the information is current and that all requested documents are included.

Before submitting a CO-OP work permit application where one is required, review:

• Your personal information
• Passport details
• Study permit information
• School and program information
• Placement details
• Dates and duration
• Supporting letters
• Uploaded documents
• Application declarations

Do not submit an application simply because a website, friend, or previous student told you that you need one. Immigration requirements can change, and the 2026 changes show why current information matters.

If you are applying from inside Canada, also check whether your current immigration status permits you to make the application from within Canada. If you are outside Canada, review the instructions that apply to your situation.

A careful final review can also help identify simple mistakes before submission. Once submitted, monitor your application account and respond promptly if IRCC requests additional information.

Can International Students Extend a CO-OP work permit?

This question needs to be considered in light of the April 1, 2026 rule change.

For eligible post-secondary international students, a separate permit is generally no longer required for qualifying co-op placements. As a result, many students who previously would have considered extending a co-op permit will not need to apply for a new one for a qualifying placement under the current rules.

Students who already hold a valid permit can continue using it until it expires. IRCC specifically states that existing co-op permit holders can continue using their permits for their full validity period.

The situation is different for secondary students, who still require a co-op permit for qualifying student work placements. If a secondary student's placement or study period extends beyond the validity of their current permit, they should review the applicable extension process before the permit expires.

Students should also distinguish between extending a study permit and extending work authorization. These are separate immigration matters and may involve different forms, requirements, and eligibility rules.

If your program has changed, your school has changed, or your placement has changed, check the current IRCC rules before assuming that an existing permit remains appropriate. Your school may also need to provide updated documentation.

How to Avoid Delays When Applying for a CO-OP work permit

Although processing times can vary, applicants can take several practical steps to reduce avoidable issues.

Check the current rules first.

The April 2026 changes are particularly important. A post-secondary student who applies for a separate permit when one is no longer required may be spending time on an application that is not necessary. IRCC states that eligible pending post-secondary co-op permit applications may be withdrawn because the permit is no longer required.

Keep documents consistent

Check names, dates, program details, and identification numbers across all documents. Differences should be explained where necessary.

Use the current IRCC checklist.

For online applications, the answers provided in the application system generate a document checklist. Follow the checklist connected to your own application rather than copying someone else's document list.

Submit readable documents.

Make sure scans and photographs are complete and legible. Include every page requested and check that files open correctly before uploading them.

Check your study permit expiry date.

Do not wait until your study permit is close to expiry before reviewing your status. If you need to continue studying in Canada, the study permit may require separate attention.

Confirm placement details with your school.

Your school can confirm whether the placement is mandatory, whether it forms part of your curriculum, and whether the employer is accepted within the school's placement program.

Respond promptly to requests

If IRCC requests further information, read the request carefully and provide the requested material within the stated period.

Why Students in London, ON Should Check Their Situation Early

London has a large student population and several post-secondary institutions, making co-op and internship programs an important part of academic planning for many international students.

However, immigration requirements are based on your individual circumstances rather than simply your location. A student in London may have different requirements from another student depending on whether they attend secondary school or post-secondary school, whether the placement is mandatory, and whether they already hold a valid permit.

That is why students should review their documents before making assumptions about a CO-OP work permit.

For students preparing for a placement, it can also be useful to keep immigration documents separate from ordinary employment paperwork. Your school placement agreement, employer information, and immigration documents each serve different purposes.

5 Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do post-secondary students still need a CO-OP work permit in Canada?

As of April 1, 2026, eligible post-secondary international students generally do not need a separate permit for required co-op placements or internships. The student must meet the requirements for a qualifying student work placement.

2. Do secondary school students need a co-op permit?

Yes. Secondary students still need a study permit and a co-op work permit for qualifying student work placements. The placement must meet the applicable academic requirements.

3. Can I use my existing co-op permit after the 2026 rule change?

Yes. IRCC states that existing permit holders can continue using their permits for the full validity period.

4. Does a co-op placement count as regular off-campus work?

A qualifying student work placement is treated separately from ordinary off-campus employment. The placement must meet the applicable requirements and be connected to the student's program. Regular off-campus work has its own eligibility and hour requirements.

5. What should I do if my study permit is expiring before my placement ends?

Review your study permit status well before expiry. A study permit extension is separate from work authorization, and your eligibility to continue studying and participating in a placement depends on your circumstances. Check the current IRCC instructions and speak with a qualified immigration professional if your case involves a change in status or other complications.

Prepare Your Student Work Placement Plans with Neev Immigration Services

Immigration rules can change, and the April 2026 update has changed how many post-secondary students participate in co-op placements. Before submitting an application, confirm whether a separate permit is actually required for your situation.

If you are an international student in London, ON, and need help reviewing your study documents, placement requirements, or CO-OP work permit situation, contact Neev Immigration Services. Their team can review the details of your case and help you identify the immigration steps that apply to your circumstances.

Contact Neev Immigration Services in London, ON to discuss your student work placement plans and prepare your immigration paperwork with current information in mind.